Dell Rapids Pabst Blue Ribbon started last week off with a late-inning comeback against Dimock-Emery, but the momentum didn’t hold and PBR dropped its next two games against Alexandria and Canova.

A rough start Tuesday, June 18 at Rickeman Field for PBR pitcher Blake Harms had Dell Rapids playing catchup from the get go against the Dimock-Emery Raptors. Harms gave up four runs in the first inning and two more in the second. Dale Solberg came on in relief in the fourth inning.

PBR put its first run on the board in the fourth inning after trailing 7-0. Three more runs in the fifth inning pulled PBR within three runs of the lead.

Trailing 8-5 to start their half of the seventh inning, PBR drove in five runs, taking a 10-8 lead, and they never let it go.

For PBR, Travis Peters had two doubles and a single. Clarence Fjellanger hit three singles and Nate Henry and Landon Klock each had two singles.

Dimock-Emery’s Josh Engquist had a single, double, homer and five runs batted in.

Alexandria 5, PBR 1

Alexandria pitchers rarely missed their spots Thursday at Rickeman Field as they held PBR to just four hits on their way to the 5-1 win.

PBR’s loan run came in the bottom of the ninth.

For PBR, Weston Hansen tripled and singled.

Henry started on the mound for Dell Rapids and was credited with the loss after giving up five runs in five innings.

Canova 6, PBR 1

PBR hosted Canova Friday night during the annual “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” contest at Rickeman Field. After about an hour-long rain delay after seven innings of play, prompting the emptying of the stands, the teams took to the field and got in the final two innings before the rain reappeared.

It was another tough night for PBR bats. Dell Rapids faced a 6-0 deficit heading into the ninth innings, but only managed one run in the final frame.
Still in the hunt

It’s a month or so into the amateur baseball season, and state championship contenders are emerging in the always competitive Class B ranks.

PBR, Alexandria, Canova, Madison, Salem and the defending state champion Parkston Mudcats have all given early indications that this year’s state tournament – held at Sioux Falls Stadium – will be entertaining and intense.

“It’s hard to just single out one or two teams as the team to beat,” PBR’s Jay Bentz said. “There are a lot of really good teams. Alexandria is really tough. Parkston is really, really good. Lennox is a lot better. Madison and Canova are a little bit younger, but they have young guys with experience. I really like what our team is doing, too. We’ve got a lot of really good arms.”

PBR is just 2-4 in Cornbelt play after the loss to Canova Friday night, but they do have non-league wins against the defending Class A champ (Sioux Falls Brewers) and the defending B champ (Parkston). With the Dell Rapids Mudcats folding, PBR added Henry and Peters to their roster, while SDSU Jackrabbit Kenton Welbig and former Augie hurler Nate Alfson have provided depth alongside veterans Dan Conrad, Klock, Kevin Krull and ageless pitcher Solberg.